AU2013200363B2 - Electrical device in modular format - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE OF THE INVENTION Electrical device in modular format This device consists, for the purpose of connection and disconnection of two conductor wires, of two input terminals (23, 24) and their associated trip-buttons (33, 34) arranged in a part of the said device that is the thickness of one half-module measured from a main surface; with the first of the two input terminals (23) being in front of the second of the said two input terminals (24), with the trip-button (33) associated with the front input terminal (23) being placed in front of the front input terminal and with the trip-button (34) associated with the rear input terminal (24) being placed behind the front input terminal (23) and in front of the rear input terminal (24). (See Figure 1) 1118 13 Fig. 1 -*\15 Fig. 2 31, ~33 32- 34

Description

!2-Jan-2013 12:21 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9319 6010 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 root

Sectkm29 Regulation 3.2(2} AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Application

Number:

Lodged:

Invention Title: Electrical device in modular format

The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P111ABAU/0610 RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 12-Jan-2013 12:21 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 6010 1 2013200363 22 Jan 2013

5 FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention concerns electrical equipment in modular format. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Electrical equipment in modular format usually takes the shape of a parallelepiped, having front and rear main surfaces and lateral sides extending 10 from the main surfaces. The thickness of such a device, i.e. the distance between the two main surfaces, is equal to a whole number of a basic thickness, known as a "module”, which is in the order of 18 mm.

Modular equipment is also known to be designed in such a way that it can be stored on a shelf on which such devices are stored side-by-side, being 15 hung at the back on a horizontal supporting rail.

One of the surfaces, for example the upper surface in a country such as France, is provided with at least one slot that offers access to a terminal designed to receive one prong of a comb-like connector whose prongs are arranged horizontally and are designed to run left-to-right in relation to the said 20 device (at right angles to the main surfaces of the device), the prongs of the comb-like connector being arranged with a gap (the distance between two successive prongs) that is equal to one module. A terminal adapted to receive the prong of a comb-like connector arranged horizontally is an entry terminal for one of the poles for a source of 25 alternating current (neutral pole or phase pole).

The opposite surface, the underside, for example, in a country such as France, contains at least one slot that provides access to a terminal designed to receive the connecting end of a wire leading to a electrical subcircuit such as a lighting circuit or ring main. 30 Traditionally, each terminal designed to receive the prong of a comb- like connector or a connector pin from a wire is a screw connector terminal comprising a slot that provides access to the screw head in the terminal on the RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 12-Jan-2013 12:21 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 6/30 61 3 9819 6010 2 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 front surface of the device, this slot providing access to the terminal, and there is a slot for access to the control screw that is arranged in a part of the device that is the thickness of a half-module in relation to one of the device’s main surfaces. 5 A proposal has already been made to replace the screw connection terminal or terminals with the prong of a comb through an automatic input terminal, i.e. a terminal in which the insertion and removal of the prong of the comb is performed merely by the simple exercise of thrusting/pulling the prong in or out. French patent application 2,871,987 and French patent application 10 2,906,413 describe electrical devices in modular format that contain such input terminals. A proposal has also been made to replace the screw connection terminals for the conductor wires with an automatic terminal, i.e. a terminal in which the insertion of the contact tip of a conductor wire is performed by mere 15 insertion whereas removal of the tip of the conductor wire from the automatic terminal requires the pressing of a trip-button or a push-button associated with the automatic terminal.

French patent application 2,875,944 describes such an automatic terminal, a double terminal, i.e. one designed to accept two conductor wires. 20 The terminal block described here for connecting and disconnecting the two conductor wires consists of: - two slots each for inserting the said conductor wire, both input terminals being placed on one of the lower or upper side surfaces; - two flexible latches each with one retaining catch, each flexible 25 latch facing the input terminals and facing part of the contact of a conductor element connected to the rest of the device, each flexible latch as well as the input terminal facing it and the conductor element of which the part of the contact facing it being configured in such a way that one end of the contact on a conductor wire can be inserted into the input terminal, thus placing it in a 30 connection position in which the tip of the contact is gripped between the retaining catch and the contact part; and RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 3 - two push-buttons, each associated with a respective flexible latch, each push-button being configured so that when pressed it comes into contact with the flexible latch associated therewith, thus causing the said flexible latch to separate from the said contact part as a result of which the conductor wire whose contact tip was gripped in place may now be withdrawn, each push-button consisting of a trip-button with is in the “off” position when no wire is inserted into it associated sloth, i.e. the input terminal facing the flexible latch associated with the command push-button and which is in the entry position when the pushbutton of which is it part is pressed against the associated flexible latch, thus distancing the gripping catch from the contact portion.

In this connecting block, the two input terminals are juxtaposed side-by-side and the two command push-buttons are juxtaposed side-by-side with one of the L-shaped trip-buttons, the other trip-button being J-shaped, the two together forming a U-shape.

The action of a tool such as a screwdriver on one of the lateral sides of the combined trip buttons forming a U-shape makes it possible to control one or other of the automatic terminals while the locking of this tool in the central branch of the combined trip buttons forming a U-shape will make it possible to simultaneously control the two automatic terminals.

In the device of which this connecting block consists, the set of two input terminals juxtaposed side-by-side with the two associated trip-buttons is arranged in a part of the device that is the width of one half-module.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 4

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is designed to supply an electrical device in modular format that provides good connection capacities for conductor wires, the whole being simple and convenient to use.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electrical device in modular format, in the overall shape of a parallelepiped with two main surfaces and lateral surfaces, respectively rear, lower, front and upper, extending from one to the other of the main surfaces, and with a width, i.e. the distance between the two main surfaces, equal to a whole number of times a predetermined distance, termed module, of the order of 18 mm, which device is configured to belong to a row of electrical devices in modular format disposed side-by-side, being fastened by the rear to a horizontal support rail, one of the said lateral surfaces having at least one aperture that offers access to a terminal adapted to receive a prong of a horizontal comb-like busbar which busbar is provided to be disposed in a left-to-right direction in relation to the said device, the prongs of the comb-like busbar being disposed with a pitch of 1 module, which device comprises, for the connection and disconnection of two conductor cables: - two insertion apertures each for a said cable, which two insertion apertures are provided in a same said lateral surface, either lower or upper, termed hereinafter as the lateral connection surface, distinct from said lateral surface having an aperture that offers access to a terminal adapted to receive a comb-like connector prong; - two elastic strips each comprising a holding edge, each elastic strip facing a respective one of said insertion apertures and facing a contact portion of a conductor element connected to the rest of the said device, each elastic strip as well as the insertion aperture it faces as well as the conductor element of which forms part the contact portion it faces being configured so that a contact end of a said conductor cable can be inserted into the insertion aperture to come into a connection position in which the contact end is pinched between the holding edge and the contact portion; and - two pushing members each associated with a respective elastic strip, each pushing member being configured to bear against the associated 5 elastic strip, and drive the holding edge of the associated elastic strip away from the said contact portion as a result of which the conductor cable whose contact end was pinched may be removed, each pushing member comprising a control button which is in an “out” position when a cable is not inserted in the associated insertion aperture, i.e. the insertion aperture the elastic strip associated with the pushing member this control button is part of faces, and which is in an “in” position when the pushing member of which it is part bears on the associated elastic strip to place the holding edge away from the contact portion; the said two insertion apertures and the said control buttons being disposed grouped in a portion of the said device the width of which from a said main surface is 1 half module; a first of the said two insertion apertures, termed hereinafter front insertion aperture, being forward of a second of the said two insertion apertures termed hereinafter rear insertion aperture, the control button associated with the front insertion aperture being adjacent to and forward of the front insertion aperture, the control button associated with the rear insertion aperture being adjacent to and to the rear of the front insertion aperture and adjacent to and forward of the rear insertion aperture.

The fact that in the set of two input terminals and the associated trip-buttons (control buttons) in the device compliant with the invention, the two input terminals are not side-by-side, but one on is in front of the other; and the fact that the trip-button associated with the front (upper) input terminal is in front of this slot while the trip-button associated with the rear input terminal is in front of the rear slot makes it possible to arrange the connection surface in an optimal manner for the set.

In fact, because the arrangement is on the part of the device that is the thickness of one half-module, no input terminal is restricted in size by the need to leave room next to it for another input terminal or a push-button associated with another input terminal.

Each input terminal may thus be of large size, in particular large enough to accommodate the lug at the end of a flexible wire so that the lug constitutes the connection tip of a flexible wire. 5a 2013200363 21 Dec 2016

Furthermore, in a modular device produced according to the invention, the conventional connection capacity of conductor wires for a device in modular format is maintained, i.e. the ability to be able to connect two conductor wires in a part of the device that is one half-module thick on one of the lateral surfaces. 5 The electrical device in modular format according to the invention offers both the possibility of arranging the conductor wires that are required to be connected to the device in a manner similar to the conventional manner, while permitting the terminal end of the wire to be especially large and enabling each wire to be particularly thick, each wire having an individual lug for insertion into 10 one slot and a trip-button for individual disconnection.

The electrical device in modular format according to the invention is thus particularly simple and easy to use.

Depending on the preferred features, for reasons of simplicity and convenient access to the trip-buttons: 15 CONTINUES ON PAGE 6 12-Jan-2013 12:23 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9019 6010 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 6 - the trip-button associated with the rear input terminal projects from part of the lateral connection surface situated between the said front surface and the said trip-button associated with the rear input terminal; and/or - housing for the trip-button associated with the said front input is 5 placed at the junction between the said lateral connection surface and the said front surface.

According to the other preferred features of the arrangement: - the said lateral connection surface is stepped, with a front portion of the said lateral connection surface in which the said front input terminal is 10 located, with a rear part that projects in relation to the front part and an intermediate part between the front part and the rear part, the said input terminal being placed in the said rear part, with housing for the trip-button associated with the rear input terminal being placed at the junction between the said rear part and the intermediate part; 15 -the said lateral connection surface is generally level; and/or - the said lateral connection surface contains a projection behind the said rear input terminal.

In a method for creating the device according to the invention, this device consists, in addition to the set formed by the said front input terminal, of 20 a rear input terminal and the said trip-buttons associated therewith, with another similar set being created by another front input terminal and another rear input terminal, a trip-button being associated with this other front input terminal and a trip-button being associated with the other rear input terminal; this other set being arranged in a part of the said device which is the thickness of one half-25 module from the other main surface.

According to the preferred characteristics of this design: - the said front input terminal and the other front input terminal are aligned in a left-to-right direction and the said rear input terminal and the other rear input terminal are aligned in a left-to-right direction; 30 - the said other front input terminal is to the rear (below) the said front input terminal and the said other rear input terminal is to the rear (below) the said rear input terminal; RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 2-Jan-2013 12:23 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61398196010 7 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 the front input terminal, the rear input terminal, the other front input terminal and the other rear input terminal all provide access to an automatic double terminal for an electric pole, the other two providing access to an automatic double terminal for another electric pole; 5 - the said front input terminal and the other said front input terminal provide access to a double automatic terminal for an electric pole; while the rear input terminal and the other rear input terminal provide access to a double automatic terminal for another electric pole; the said front input terminal and the said rear input terminal 10 provide access to a double automatic terminal for an electric pole while the other front input terminal and the said other rear input terminal provide access to a double automatic terminal for another electric pole; and/or each of the said front input terminals, the rear input terminal, the other front input terminal and other rear input terminal provide access to an 15 individual terminal for their respective electric poles.

The device according to the invention constitutes an example of a 2-pole modular circuit-breaker with a thickness of one module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 20 The description of the invention will now be followed by a detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, provided here for illustration purposes but not restrictively, in reference to the enclosed drawings. On these: - Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a 2-pole modular circuit-breaker according to the invention; 25 - Figure 2 is a side-view of the circuit-breaker, taken of the front surface; - Figure 3 is a cross-section through Ill-Ill in Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 3, but with the contact lug of a conductor wire inserted into each of the two visible input 30 terminals and in the automatic terminal associated therewith, with the trip-button of each push-button in the “in" position; and RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 !2-Jan-2013 12:23 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 60 1 0 8 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 - Figures 5 to 8 are views similar to those show in Figures 1 to 4 for one production variation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 5 The 2-pole modular circuit-breaker 10 illustrated in Figure 1 has the general shape of a parallelepiped.

It has two main surfaces, respectively a left main surface 11 and a right main surface 12, and side surfaces each extending from one of the main surfaces 11 and 12, namely a rear surface 13, a lower surface 14, a front 10 surface 15 and an upper surface 16.

In compliance with the modular format, the distance between the main surfaces 11 and 12 is equal to a whole number of a basic width known by the name of "module”, that is in the order of 18 mm. Here, the width of the circuit-breaker 10 is that of one module. 15 The rear surface 13 shows a recess 17 for mounting the circuit- breaker 10 on a rail with a Ω-shaped profile (not illustrated).

The upper surface 16 shows slots (not visible on the drawings) that provide access to an input terminal designed to receive the prong of a horizontal distribution comb (not illustrated) the prongs of which are arranged 20 horizontally in a step equal to one module, each comb being orientated in a left-to-right direction, i.e. at right angles to the main surfaces 11 and 12.

The shape of each input terminal is such that, after insertion, the prong is strongly gripped by a flexible catch so that it makes good electrical contact. The removal of a prong is performed by a fairly strong pull so as to 25 disengage the prong that was gripped by the input terminal. For more details of the arrangement of the upper surface 16 and the input terminals, reference can be made to French patent application 2,871,987 or French patent application 2,906,413.

Here, the upper surface 16 is arranged as described in the French 30 patent application 2,906,413, with two pairs of input terminals, respectively a rear pair for which each of the two slots give access to a rear double input terminal and a front pair for which the two slots each provide access to a front RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 !2-Jan-2013 12:23 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 6010 9 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 double input terminal, the rear double input terminal and the front double input terminal each constituting an input terminal for each of the poles of an alternating current source, in this case a neutral pole and phase pole.

The front surface 15, in the central position, shows along about half 5 its length, a projection 18 indicating an operating lever 19.

The lower surface 14 shows four input terminals each for a single conductor wire, respectively one front left input terminal 21, one rear left input terminal 22, one front right input terminal 23 and one rear right input terminal 24. 10 Each of the input terminals 21 to 24 provides access to an automatic terminal for the connection and disconnection of a conductor wire, i.e. a terminal in which the connection with the conductor wire is made by simple insertion, while the removal of the tip of the conductor wire from the automatic terminal requires pressure on the trip-button using the button associated with the 15 automatic terminal (unlike the case of an input terminal for the prong of a comb, where it is sufficient to use enough pulling power to extract it).

The trip-button 31 of the automatic terminal associated with the insertion of the front left slot 21 is in front of the input terminal 21.

The trip-button 32 of the automatic terminal associated with the rear 20 left input terminal 22 is to the rear of input terminal 21 and in front of input terminal 22.

The trip-button 33 of the automatic terminal associated with the right front input terminal 23 is in front of the input terminal 23.

The trip-button 34 of the automatic terminal associated with the right 25 rear input terminal 24 is to the rear of input terminal 23 and in front of input terminal 24.

The lower surface 14 is stepped, with a front part 35 that is connected to the front surface 15, a rear part 36 that extends outward in relation to the front part 35 and an intermediate part 37 between the front part 35 and 30 the rear part 36.

The input terminals 21 and 23 are positioned in the front part 35. The input terminals 22 and 24 are positioned in the rear part 36. The housings for RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 :2-Jan-2013 12:24 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 6010 10 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 the trip-buttons 32 and 34 are positioned at the junction between the rear part 36 and the intermediate part 37.

The housings for trip-buttons 31 and 33 are arranged at the junction between the lower surface 14 and the upper surface 15. 5 The input terminals 21 and 22 and trip-buttons 31 and 32 to the left are arranged in a part of the circuit-breaker 10 with a thickness of one half-module from the left main surface 11.

Similarly, the input terminals 23 and 24 as well as trip-buttons 33 and 34 to the right are arranged in a part of the circuit-breaker 10 with a thickness of 10 one half-module from the right main surface 12.

As can be seen in Figure 3, a flexible latch 43 faces input terminal 23. The flexible latch 43 is part of a spring 44 shown here in the shape of a U. The flexible latch 43 forms one of the arms of this spring.

The spring 44 is part of a double automatic terminal consisting of a 15 conductor element 45 to which the conductor wire 49 must be connected (Figure 4) by inserting it into the slot 23. The flexible latch 43 faces a part of the contact 46 of the conductor element 45.

At its free end, the flexible latch 43 has a gripping catch 47.

The flexible latch 43, the input terminal 23 and the conductor element 20 45 are configured so that the contact tip 48 of a conductor wire 49 can be inserted into the input terminal 23, bringing it into the connection position in which the tip of the contact 48 is gripped between the gripping catch 47 and the flexible latch 43 as is the part of the contact 46 of the conductor element 45, which is apparent from Figure 4. 25 In the example illustrated, the conductor wire 49 is a stranded wire.

To enable it to be connected through inserting it into the automatic terminal, the stranded conductor wire 49 has been fitted with a solid stem at its tip 50 of which the stem forms the tip of the contact 48.

Should the conductor wire be solid, the contact tip can be formed by 30 part of the insulation being stripped away (the insulation sheath removed from around the solid conductor core). RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 !2-Jan-2013 12:24 PH WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 15/30 61 3 9819 6010 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 11

To attach the wire 49 to the automatic terminal, the tip of contact 48 is inserted into the input terminal 23, the tip of contact 48 comes into contact with the flexible latch 43 and causes it to flex, the tip of contact 48 is then inserted between the flexible latch 43 and the part of the contact 46. 5 In view of the angle of incline of the flexible latch 43 (towards the contact tip 48 in the direction of thrust), when the tip of contact 48 is inserted, it will slide over the gripping catch 47 of the flexible latch 43.

When the insertion thrust is completed, the flexible latch 43 presses the tip of the contact 48 against the part of contact 46 in such a way as to 10 establish a good electrical contact.

If the conductor wire 49 attempts to fall out of the circuit-breaker 10, the contact between the gripping catch 47 and the tip of the contact 48 has the effect of dragging the flexible latch 43 in the direction in which the gripping catch 47 tends to penetrate the tip of the contact 48. This locks the tip of the contact 15 48 into the automatic terminal.

The push-button 52, which is part of the trip-button 33, is configured to press against the flexible latch 43 and cause it to flex so as to drag the gripping catch 47 in the direction in which it separates from the part of the contact 46, and thus from the tip of the contact 48, as a result of which the tip of 20 contact 48, and more generally the wire 49, can be withdrawn.

The push-button 52 consists, in addition to trip-button 31, of a pin 53 engaged in a guide connected to the housing containing the trip-button 33.

The push-button 52 as well as the housing for the trip-button 31 and the guide for the pin 53 are configured in such a way that the push-button 52 25 can be moved from the position illustrated in Figure 3, in which the trip-button 33 is in the “out/off position, and the position illustrated in Figure 4, in which the trip-button 33 is in the "in/on” position.

When no wire has been inserted, the flexible latch 43 is pressed against part of the contact 46 and pushes the pin 53 to the maximum position in 30 its guide, so that the trip-button 33 is in the “out/off’ position.

If the trip-button 33 is pressed into its housing, for example with the tip of a screwdriver 55 as shown in Figure 1, the trip-button 33 can be pushed RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 2-Jan-2013 12:24 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 16/30 61 3 9819 6010 12 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 into the “in/on” position and the flexible latch 43 can be flexed until it is in the position illustrated in Figure 4 in which the tip of contact 48 is released and the wire 49 can be removed.

The double automatic terminal containing the spring 44 and the 5 conductor element 45 also contain another spring (not visible on the drawings) identical to spring 44. This spring consists of a flexible latch identical to flexible latch 43 facing the input terminal 21 and facing a part of the contact of the conductor element 45 that is identical to the part of the contact 46.

In general, the conductor element 45 consists of a part near the input 10 terminal 21 similar to that near the input terminal 23; and the same arrangement is found near input terminal 21 that exists near the input terminal 23.

Consequently, the conductor wire of which the contact tip was inserted into input terminal 21, to be placed in a connection position similar to that of conductor wire 49, is connected to the conductor element 45. 15 Note that the conductor wire 49 and the other wire of which the contact tip was inserted in the input terminal 21 until connected, each have an individual flexible latch and an individual contact part, thus making it possible to guarantee a good quality of contact for the contact tip for each wire with the conductor element 45; and this makes it possible to disconnect the wires 20 individually, respectively by means of the trip-button 33 or the trip-button 31, by moving it from the "out/off” position to the “in/on” position.

The input terminals 22 and 24 provide access to a double automatic terminal similar to the double automatic terminal to which the input terminals 21 and 23 provide access. 25 As indicated above, the input terminals to which the slots (not visible) on the upper surface 16 provide access are entry terminals for one of the poles of a source of alternating current, in this case a neutral pole and a phase pole.

The automatic terminals to which the input terminals 21 to 24 provide access on the underside 14 are exit terminals to a part of the electrical 30 installation protected by the internal circuit of the circuit-breaker 10.

Here, the double automatic terminal to which the front-positioned input terminals 21 and 23 provide access is for one of the poles of the electrical RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19

Jan-2013 12:25 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 6010 13 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 installation (for example, the phase pole) and the double automatic terminal to which the rear-positioned input terminals 22 and 24 provide access is for the other pole of the electrical installation (for example the neutral pole).

The following is a description in support of Figures 5 to 8, this being a 5 variant 110 of the 2-pole modular circuit-breaker 10.

As a general rule, for similar elements, the same reference numbers have been used, to which the number 100 has been added.

To simplify the drawings, the operating switch of which the projection 118 consists on the front surface 115 is not illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. 10 In the same way as the underside 14 of the 2-pole modular circuit- breaker 10, the underside 114 of the 2-pole modular circuit-breaker 110 presents with four input terminals, each for one conductor wire, these being respectively one front left input terminal 121, one rear left input terminal 122, one front right input terminal 123 and one right rear input terminal 124. 15 Each of the input terminals 121 to 124 provides access to an automatic terminal for the connection and disconnection of a conductor wire.

The trip-button 131 of the automatic terminal associated with the front left input terminal 121 is in front of the input terminal 121.

The trip-button 132 of the automatic terminal associated with the left 20 rear input terminal 122 is to the rear of the input terminal 21 and in front of the input terminal 122.

The trip-button 133 of the automatic terminal associated with the right front input terminal 123 is in front of the input terminal 123.

The trip-button 134 of the automatic terminal associated with the right 25 rear input terminal 124 is to the rear of the input terminal 123 and in front of the input terminal 124.

The underside surface 114 is on the same level overall as the projecting trip-buttons 132 and 134.

To the rear of the input terminals 122 and 124, the underside 114 30 consists respectively of a projection 62 and a projection 64, each protruding downwards. RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 2-Jan-2013 12:25 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 18/30 61 39819 6010 14 2013200363 22 Jan 2013

The projection 62 forms a guide leading to the input terminal 122. The projection 64 forms a guide leading to the input terminal 124.

Similarly, the trip-button 132 forms a guide leading to the input terminal 121 and the trip-button 134 forms a guide leading to the input terminal 5 123.

The housings for the trip-buttons 131 and 133 are positioned at the junction between the underside 114 and the front side 115.

The input terminals 121 and 122 and the trip-buttons 131 and 132 positioned to the left are arranged in a part of the circuit-breaker 110 that is the 10 width of one half-module from the main left surface 111.

Similarly, the input terminals 123 and 124 as well as the trip-buttons 133 and 134 positioned on the right are arranged in a part of the circuit-breaker 110 having a width of one half-module from the right main surface 112.

The input terminals 123 and 124 provide access to a double 15 automatic terminal similar to the double automatic terminal to which the input terminals 21 and 23 provide access while the conductor element 145 extends downwards (rather than across the width) of circuit-breaker 110 so that close to the input terminal 124 (rather than 121) this part is similar to that of which it consists near the input terminal 123; and the same arrangement is to be found 20 near input terminal 124 as for input terminal 123.

Consequently, the conductor wire whose contact tip has been inserted in the input terminal 123 or input terminal 124 so as to reach the connection position is connected to the conductor element 145.

The input terminals 121 and 122 provide access to a double 25 automatic terminal similar to the double automatic terminal to which the input terminals 123 and 124 provide access.

The automatic terminals to which the input terminals 121 to 124 on the underside 114 provide access are the exit terminals to a part of the electrical installation protected by the circuit-breaker's internal circuit 110. 30 Here, the double automatic terminal to which the input terminals 121 and 122 on the left provide access is for one of the poles of the electrical installation (for example the neutral pole) and the double automatic terminal to RECEIVED TIME 22. JAM. 12:19 !2-Jan-2013 12:25 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 6010 15 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 which the input terminals 123 and 124 on the right provide access is for the other pole of the electrical installation (for example, the phase pole).

Where the input terminals 21 and 23 are aligned in a left-right direction and the input terminals 22 and 24 are aligned in a left-right direction, 5 input terminal 121 is to the rear of the input terminal 123 and the input terminal 122 is to the rear of the input terminal 124.

The circuit-breaker 10 and the circuit-breaker 110 show each of the trip-buttons associated with a rear input terminal, i.e. the trip-buttons 32 and 34 for the circuit-breaker 10 and the trip-buttons 132 and 134 for the circuit-breaker 10 110, protrude in relation to a part of the under-surface 14 or 114 placed between this trip-button and the front surface 15 or 115.

It is thus possible, for the purpose of using the trip-buttons 32, 34, 132 or 134 to access a trip-button using a tool such as the screwdriver 55 positioned horizontally as long, of course, as no conductor wire such as the wire 15 49 has been inserted in the input terminal positioned in front of this trip-button (slot 21 for trip button 32, slot 23 for trip button 34, slot 121 for trip button 132 and slot 123 for trip button 134).

The ability to access the rear trip-buttons is particularly convenient. In this respect, it should be noted that the space available below (or even above) a 20 modular device is generally restricted.

Note also that in the circuit-breaker 10 or 110, each of the trip-buttons associated with a front input terminal, i.e. trip-buttons 31 and 33 for the circuit-breaker 10 and trip-buttons 131 and 133 for the circuit-breaker 110, is placed at the junction between the underside 14 or 114 and the forward-facing 25 side 15 or 115.

Thus, the trip-buttons 31, 33, 131 and 133 are each positioned to the rear in relation to the underside 14 or 114 and are accessible from the lower part of the forward-facing surface 15 or 115.

It is thus particularly simple and convenient to use the trip-buttons 31, 30 33, 131 and 133 with a tool such as the screwdriver 55.

It can also be seen that in the circuit-breaker 10 or 110, on each of the left and right sides there is a set of two input terminals and two trip-buttons RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 !2-Jan-2013 12:26 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 20/30 61 3 9819-6010 16 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 associated with these input terminals (for circuit-breaker 10, on left-hand side these are the input terminals 21 and 22 and trip-buttons 31 and 32, and for the right-hand side, these are input terminals 23 and 24 and trip-buttons 33 and 34; for the circuit-breaker 110, on the left-hand side, they are input terminals 121 5 and 122 and trip-buttons 131 and 132, on the right-hand side, the input terminals 123 and 124 and trip-buttons 133 and 134) these being arranged in a part of the circuit-breaker 10 or 110 having a width of one half-module, measured from the main surface 11,12,111 or 112 on the same side.

The fact that in each set, the two input terminals are not positioned 10 side-by-side, but instead one is in front and the other to the rear, with the trip-button associated with the front input terminal being in front of this slot and the trip-button associated with the rear input terminal being in front of this slot and to the rear of the front input terminal in the same set, makes it possible to position the two input terminals in each set in the optimum position. 15 In fact, due to this arrangement, in the part having the width of one half-module of the device 10 or 110 in which the set of two input terminals and their associated trip-buttons are positioned, no input terminal would have to be reduced in size so as to leave room for another inputterminal or a push-button associated with another input terminal to be inserted. 20 Each input terminal can thus be large in size, large enough, in particular, to accept the prong of a wire tip 50.

In the variations not illustrated; - the underside is arranged in the same way as the underside 14, but with the input terminals 21 and 22 positioned on the left providing access to 25 a double automatic terminal for an electrical pole and with the input terminals 23 and 24 positioned on the right thus providing access to a double automatic terminal for another electrical pole; the underside is arranged in the same way as the underside 114 but with the input terminals 121 and 123 positioned in front, thus providing access to a double automatic terminal for an electrical pole 30 and the input terminals 122 and 124 positioned to the rear that gives access to a double automatic terminal; or each input terminal can provide access to an individual terminal for a respective electrical pole; RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19 !2-Jan-2013 12:26 PM WATERMARK (F) 61 3 9819 6010 61 3 9819 6010 17 2013200363 22 Jan 2013 - the underside is stepped as in surface 14 but with the input terminals situated to the left that are shifted back or to the front in relation to the input terminals positioned on the right; or the underside can be arranged as on underside 114 but with the input terminals positioned to the left, these being 5 shifted in front in relation to the input terminals positioned to the right or with the front input terminals aligned in a left-right direction and the rear input terminals aligned in a left-right direction; - an electrical device in modular format may be different from a 2-pole circuit-breaker, for example in a single-pole circuit-breaker there could be a 10 single set of two slots with their associated trip-buttons arranged in a part of the device having the thickness of one half-module on its main surface; or a device in modular format having a thickness greater than 1 module, for example 2 or 3 modules; and/or - the lateral surface on which the input terminals are arranged 15 being the upper surface rather than the underside.

Numerous other variations are possible depending on the circumstances and in this respect it should be remembered that the invention is not restricted to the examples described and represented. RECEIVED TIME 22. JAN. 12:19

Claims (14)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. An electrical device in modular format, in the overall shape of a parallelepiped with two main surfaces and lateral surfaces, respectively rear, lower, front and upper, extending from one to the other of the main surfaces, and with a width, i.e. the distance between the two main surfaces, equal to a whole number of times a predetermined distance, termed module, of the order of 18 mm, which device is configured to belong to a row of electrical devices in modular format disposed side-by-side, being fastened by the rear to a horizontal support rail, one of the said lateral surfaces having at least one aperture that offers access to a terminal adapted to receive a prong of a horizontal comb-like busbar which busbar is provided to be disposed in a left-to-right direction in relation to the said device, the prongs of the comb-like busbar being disposed with a pitch of 1 module, which device comprises, for the connection and disconnection of two conductor cables: - two insertion apertures each for a said cable, which two insertion apertures are provided in a same said lateral surface, either lower or upper, termed hereinafter as the lateral connection surface, distinct from said lateral surface having an aperture that offers access to a terminal adapted to receive a comb-like connector prong; - two elastic strips each comprising a holding edge, each elastic strip facing a respective one of said insertion apertures and facing a contact portion of a conductor element connected to the rest of the said device, each elastic strip as well as the insertion aperture it faces as well as the conductor element of which forms part the contact portion it faces being configured so that a contact end of a said conductor cable can be inserted into the insertion aperture to come into a connection position in which the contact end is pinched between the holding edge and the contact portion; and - two pushing members each associated with a respective elastic strip, each pushing member being configured to bear against the associated elastic strip, and drive the holding edge of the associated elastic strip away from the said contact portion as a result of which the conductor cable whose contact end was pinched may be removed, each pushing member comprising a control button which is in an “out” position when a cable is not inserted in the associated insertion aperture, i.e. the insertion aperture the elastic strip associated with the pushing member this control button is part of faces, and which is in an “in” position when the pushing member of which it is part bears on the associated elastic strip to place the holding edge away from the contact portion; the said two insertion apertures and the said control buttons being disposed grouped in a portion of the said device the width of which from a said main surface is 1 half module; a first of the said two insertion apertures, termed hereinafter front insertion aperture, being forward of a second of the said two insertion apertures termed hereinafter rear insertion aperture, the control button associated with the front insertion aperture being adjacent to and forward of the front insertion aperture, the control button associated with the rear insertion aperture being adjacent to and to the rear of the front insertion aperture and adjacent to and forward of the rear insertion aperture.
2. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the control button associated with the rear insertion aperture projects in relation to a portion of the said lateral connection surface situated between the said front surface and the said control button that is associated with the rear insertion aperture.
3. 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a housing for the said control button associated with the said front insertion aperture is disposed at the junction between the said lateral connection surface and the said front surface.
4. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said lateral connection surface is stepped, the said front insertion aperture being formed in a front portion of the said lateral connection surface, a rear portion projecting in relation to the front portion, and an intermediate portion being between the front portion and the rear portion, the said rear insertion aperture being formed in the said rear portion, a housing for the control button being associated with the rear insertion aperture that is positioned at the junction between the said rear portion and the said intermediate portion.
5. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said lateral connection surface is generally on one level.
6. 6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the said lateral connection surface comprises a projecting nib to the rear of the said rear insertion aperture.
7. 7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein it comprises, in addition to a set formed by the said front insertion apertures, rear insertion apertures and by said associated control buttons, another similar set formed by another front insertion aperture and another rear insertion, a control button being associated with the said other front insertion aperture and a control button being associated with the said other rear insertion aperture; which other set is disposed in a portion of the said device the width of which from a said main surface is 1 half module.
8. 8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the said front insertion aperture and other front insertion aperture are aligned in a left-right direction and in that the said rear insertion aperture and other rear insertion aperture are aligned in a left-right direction.
9. 9. Device according to claim 7, wherein the said other front insertion aperture is to the rear of the said front insertion aperture and wherein the said other rear insertion aperture is to the rear of the said rear insertion aperture.
10. 10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein among the said front insertion aperture, rear insertion aperture, other front insertion aperture and other rear insertion aperture, two provide access to a double automatic terminal for an electrical pole and the two others provide access to a double automatic terminal for another electrical pole.
11. 11. Device according to claim 10, wherein the said front insertion aperture and the other said front insertion aperture provide access to a double automatic terminal for an electrical pole whereas the rear insertion aperture and the other rear insertion aperture provide access to a double automatic terminal for another electrical pole.
12. 12. Device according to claim 10, wherein the said front insertion aperture and the said rear insertion aperture provide access to a double automatic terminal for an electrical pole whereas the other said front insertion aperture and the said other rear insertion aperture provide access to a double automatic terminal for another electrical pole.
13. 13. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each said front insertion aperture, rear insertion aperture, other front insertion aperture and other rear insertion aperture provide access to an individual terminal for a respective electrical pole.
14. 14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein it constitutes a 2-pole modular circuit-breaker having a width of 1 module.